Today we’d like to introduce you to Shondalla Calder.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Shondalla. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
As a child I always loved music. One day my mother and I were walking downtown and I saw people playing music on violins, I was seven years old at the time, and I fell in love with the sound, I wanted to learn to play the violin. My mom couldn’t afford a violin so she bought me a toy violin that had pre-recorded songs on it. I never lost the desire to play the violin. Four years later that all changed. Sergio Rodriguez came to my school with an orchestra program. I was so excited that I was finally going to have the chance to learn how to play the violin. I later joined the Youth Symphony Orchestra in Albany Georgia, my hometown. There I learned so much and I became the Assistant Concert Master. The kids there had private instructors so I had to work harder than everyone else. I was teased because I didn’t have the nicest violin or case but this was my place to express myself musically.
My father introduced me to various music but one artist stood out the most. I was inspired by Yanni and his creativity, but I was really inspired by a performance by Karen Briggs. I never seen a black woman play a violin before. I loved her creativity. I wanted to play freely like her. I later saw a group Nuttin but Stringz and I loved how they incorporated hip hop with the violin. I began to make music myself and the rest is history. I continued to push myself and my brother Joseph James joined me in helping me produce my original music. I started playing at local talent shows and for private parties. I even audition for Britain’s Got Talent. My latest venture was being one of the few opening acts for the Grammy-nominated music group The Hamiltones.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
This has been and still is one of the hardest journeys. I’ve been picked on and teased for playing the violin because I’m black. I never fit in with my peers growing up. And now as an adult I’m typically typecasted as a boaring classical violinist. People tend to want to put me in a box and assume that I only play music for weddings. So I’m constantly faced with the challenge of overcoming those obstacles. Being an independent artist isn’t always easy. I’ve had to learn a lot of things on my own and being that I do this full time my husband supports me fully. We’ve had to learn how to be creative in making music videos and recording music.
Please tell us about Music By Dalla.
I’m a solo performing violinist. I’m known for my creative style of music and my lightsaber bow. I’m proud of my music because it leaves people inspired and happy. What sets me apart from others is that I compose my own music and I bring my own creative twist to cover songs. I can’t keep still when I play. I like to dance and make a theatrical statement with my music. I use other visual creative ways to show the story behind my song.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My mom Karen James has always been one of my biggest cheerleaders. My mother in law Anita Brown has always encouraged me to never give up. I had two music teachers who taught me how to play and they always pushed me to be better, Mr. Sergio Rodreguiez and Mr. Axlender. Mr. Rodregiez let me play one of his violins until I graduated from high school and Mr. Alexander would help me work on my technique. My husband Andre Clader is my biggest cheerleader, mentor, supporter, and teammate. He helps me with the business end of my music and he also does all of my graphics and videography. He is a man with many hats. He also invests so much into my dream. My brother Joseph James is the mastermind behind the music. He helps me bring my music to life. He helps bring the creative twist to my music. My friends Damon and April Halloway have always been supportive of me and dreams. They are always there to give me words of wisdom and encouragement when things get tough.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.musicbydalla.com/
- Phone: 817-437-1015
- Email: musicbydalla@outlook.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicbydalla/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/musicbydalla/?ref=bookmarks
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/home
Image Credit:
Andre Calder
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